Who knew Andrew Bogut was such a card? That’s some pretty funny stuff.

It’s been a growing sentiment this season that Rasheed Wallace would be a good candidate to join the coaching ranks. With more youth on the team than in recent memory you’re hearing more and more from the young guys how much Rasheed helps them in practice and during games by talking them. Even guys who aren’t Pistons, like Orlando’s Dwight Howard, seem to praise ‘Sheed for his on-court tutelage.

Seems Flip Saunders has even taken to calling ‘Sheed Coach Wallace:

“You know, Coach Wallace has done a pretty good job along those lines,” Saunders said. “Right now, he’s shooting the three so dang well yet he’s such a good post-up player it’s kind of a Catch-22. But I think what he’s done is he’s had a good year and he’s prepared himself to have a very solid and great playoff.

[…]

As for that “Coach Wallace” label? Well, there are a few who could see Wallace patrolling the sideline someday.

“We always talk about it,” Saunders said. “Before it’s all said and done I think he will. No one thought Larry Bird would get involved in anything and Larry got involved. It’s the ones sometimes who you least expect it, those are the ones who end up jumping into it full force.”

One thing is certain, if Rasheed were to bring half the passion to coaching as he does for playing he might make Bob Knight look pretty tame.

[Box score] Well, I was a tad miffed in the first half that we weren’t up on the Heat so big that the guys were practicing trick shots. But I came to realize that most of the guys that the Heat were suiting up are trying to play their way into the league next season and they were still going to give it a go, especially if we gave them any light at all.

This win clinched an outright Central Division title for the Pistons. It’s the Pistons 6th Central crown in 7 years.

After leading by 5 after the first and 3 at the half the spare-parts team Miami has came down to earth and the Pistons started handling their business holding the Heat to 24 second half points.

Arron Afflalo seized his opportunity starting for the third straight game for Rip Hamilton who’s out with a sore hip. Arron recorded careers highs in points(15, 5/9 shooting), rebounds(7).

“We’ve got four All-Star-caliber players around you, there’s a lot of open opportunities,” Afflalo said. “That’s all that is. Constantly, Tayshaun, ‘Sheed and ‘Dyess and Chauncey are creating open opportunities for me. It makes it very easy for me.” - Free Press

Jason Maxiell replicated Arron’s 15 point, 7 board total. Jason had 11 of those points and 5 of those rebounds in the 3rd quater alone. The two were among 5 Pistons in double figures that included Rasheed’s 13, Dice’s 11, and Chuancey’s 13 point, 11 assist double-double.

Although, I’ll admit It was kind of intriguing to see, in effect, an invitee tryout for a professional basketball team in season.

Take a guy like Blake Ahearn for example. He’s an undrafted guy out of the D-League on a 10-day. Nice shooter’s touch and works hard and may be earning a roster spot in Miami or perhaps another team. But, if he doesn’t he’ll be able to say he scored 15 points (13 in the 2nd alone) on one of the league’s best defensive teams. Even though I would never pull for another team against the ‘Stonz I didn’t mind seeing Ahearn, an average Joe type-of-guy, giving it his all out there. He was fearless going to the hoop and took a few shots as a result. He had to earn every point he got out there. Can’t help but feel good for “the little guy”.

We’ve got guys like that on our roster, but they’re also guys you’ve heard of before.